Patty Ritchie's posts related to Military Affairs

Senator Patty Ritchie spoke at a press conference on the need for incentives to encouarge businesses to hire disabled veterans. Senator Ritchie's district includes Fort Drum, the largest Army installation north of the Mason-Dixon line and east of the Mississippi River--home of the most deployed units in the US Army, with thousands of veterans returning to the states this year.

The district also includes more than 20,000 veterans from conflicts as far back as WWII.

For the third consecutive year, State Senator Patty Ritchie will host 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day at the State Capitol on Tuesday.

The day-long event will celebrate the commanders and soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division for their ongoing role in our nation’s defense, as well as the post itself for the key role it plays in the region’s economy.

“Each and every day, the brave soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division make tremendous sacrifices to defend our freedom and I’m thrilled to once again have the opportunity to recognize the post and its troops,” said Senator Ritchie.

Senator Patty Ritchie hosted soldiers and officers of the 10th Mountain Division for her third annual Fort Drum Day at the New York State Senate on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Visitors were able to inteact with soldiers, view exhibits and learn more about Fort Drum. The highlight of the day was an address by General Michael Howard to senators in the historic Senate Chamber.

State Senator Patty Ritchie speaks on the Senate floor on a measure she cosponsored to support the men and women of our Armed Forces by giving preference for state contracts to businesses owned by disabled veterans.

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced a measure she cosponsored to support the men and women of our Armed Forces by giving preference for state contracts to businesses owned by disabled veterans has passed the Senate.

The measure (S.6865) would create a six percent state contract set-aside for service-connected disabled-veteran owned small businesses, ensuring New York State’s service-connected disabled veterans are better able to compete for millions of dollars in state contracts.

“I’m fortunate to be able to represent Fort Drum, as it gives me an opportunity on a regular basis to see everything our troops do not only for our region, but also for our country and this legislation is a tremendous way to say ‘thanks’ for their service” said Senator Ritchie.

The visit takes place during the “Month of the Military Child,” an annual month-long celebration that pays tribute to roughly 1.8 million sons and daughters of those currently serving in our Armed Forces. That number includes the family members of 18,000 soldiers who are attached to Fort Drum and live in North Country communities Senator Ritchie represents.

“We sometimes forget that behind every brave soldier are family members who love, support and courageously stand by them—and it’s so important that we recognize them for their bravery too,” said Senator Ritchie.

For the third consecutive year, State Senator Patty Ritchie honored our troops and their contributions to our region with 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day, a special event held at the State Capitol.

“The troops who were able to attend today’s event remind my colleagues and I of the many hundreds of thousands of men and women who volunteer to serve and defend our nation as members of our Armed Forces,” said Senator Ritchie. “Not only that, but they also impress upon us the importance of Fort Drum, not just to our nation’s defense, but also to the Central and Northern New York regions I represent.”

“I’m extremely proud to once again host 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day. I would like to thank those made the trip to Albany including representatives of the many community organizations that support Fort Drum as well as our troops, not only for taking part in the event, but more importantly for the sacrifices they make every day.”

As part of the event, Fort Drum’s Color Guard opened up the day’s Senate Session which also featured an address by Brigadier General Michael Howard, who spoke on behalf of Major General Stephen Townsend, who is currently serving in Afghanistan. In his address, General Howard spoke about the unique relationship between Fort Drum and the North Country, citing the economic boost and employment opportunities the post provides as well as the community resources—namely hospitals and schools—that troops and their families utilize.

Ritchie, Blankenbush Lead Effort to Rally Support for NY’s Largest Military Post

A bipartisan group of 85 State Senators and Assembly Members—from Long Island to Buffalo, Brooklyn and Binghamton to the North Country—have joined together to back Fort Drum in the face of looming federal defense budget cuts.

The lawmakers signed a letter to Governor Cuomo asking him to rally state leaders in Albany, New York City and Washington, D.C., to fight for the post, which is crucial to the nation’s defense and, as the state’s largest single-site employer, adds almost $2 billion a year to New York’s economy.